Keep bringing diapers!

By Lisa Witherspoon, Director of Children’s Formation Did you know that an infant goes through about 700 diapers in the first three months of life? Did you also know that a box about 100 diapers can cost as much as $25? For families living on a limited income,...

A small group of leaders

There is a little secret among Biblical scholars, church clergy, and Christian educators – the secret is the answer to the question: “Why do you do the things you do?”  Sing in your head that familiar song …. ‘”the Bible tells me so.” I will never forget...

The Spirit in the Psalms

Reading Neil’s reflections on prayer the other week, he offers beautiful imagery of the connective and healing power of prayer. He writes of his envisioning Jesus coming and kneeling before the person, laying his hands on their head. As he writes, we don’t really know...

Three ways to use our money

I must have been about 13 years old when I saw the 10-speed Schwinn bicycle in the store.  I knew immediately that I would do almost anything to have that bicycle.  After discussing it with my parents, I decided to pursue a newspaper route to earn the money for the...

Doing nothing & seeing what God will do

Many times in my life I have found that doing nothing (a form of patience) is exactly the right thing to do. Here is one example. Before we moved to Greensboro in 2003, we lived in the small village of Fincastle, Va., for 11 years. During that time, we built a house...

Ashes, burial, and memories

Through my travels and readings I have learned about so many ways people bury and honor their dead. In Guatemala City there is a huge creepy prestigious sprawling cemetery where only the wealthy are allowed to stay indefinitely.  Most people can only afford to have...

What is really going on when we pray?

Several times a week I am asked to pray for people, and several times a week I let people know I am praying for them.  But what am I actually doing?  What is happening? First let me suggest what I don’t think is happening.  I am not trying to get the attention...

Fruit of the Spirit, musically

What do United Pursuit, Florence & the Machine, Mumford & Sons, Van Morrison, Tim McGraw, Bruce Springsteen, Harry Styles, and David Crowder all have in common? Well, naturally, they all have a song on our Fruit of the Spirit Playlist!  Now, you might be quite...

A church across the city

Last Monday morning was my first day as the interim assistant coach at UNCG. I met more people than I can remember, visited facilities I can’t find on a map, and verified my legal work status with HR. I don’t have a parking pass yet. I parked at the UKIRK house on...

Finding abundance at the ballpark

It was the summer before COVID (little did we know), and I gathered with some housemates and neighbors at the nearby Durham Bulls stadium.  It was an early evening in July, and it was hot. Another housemate, Sam, joined us after he got off work – six or so hours of...